The Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) is seeking an experienced and values-driven Chief Practitioner to lead and set the standards for evidence informed contemporary practice for professionals working within the Child Safety and Youth Justice Operations Portfolio (CSYJO).

About the Role

Step into a system-wide leadership role that shapes practice excellence across Child Safety and Youth Justice in Tasmania.
This greenfield opportunity will see you establish the Office of the Chief Practitioner in Hobart and lead statewide reform to modernise, streamline and align practice guidance.
You will embed therapeutic, trauma-informed and evidence-based models of care, setting and upholding the professional standards that drive safety, quality and consistency for some of Tasmania’s most vulnerable children and young people.
As a key leader in a nation-leading Youth Justice reform program, you will help build a contemporary, rehabilitative and young-person-centred framework.

What we are Looking For

• Demonstrated strategic leadership and management experience in contemporary evidence-based Child Safety and/or Youth Justice service delivery, focusing on children and young people.
• Significant expertise in professional practice disciplines relevant to Child Safety and/or Youth Justice, together with the capacity to set and uphold professional practice standards and build capability and commit to upholding the rights of children and young people,
• Exemplary leadership skills with the capacity to inspire, lead, and implement organisational change in services for children, young people, and families, combined with skills to drive team performance, achieve outcomes, and align strategies with the broader environment.
• Demonstrated success in leading multidisciplinary teams and engaging effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including government partners, service providers, practitioners, and community representatives.
• Senior management experience working in a large Government and/or human services organisation to drive policy and project initiatives, coupled with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to adapt to varying audiences and resolve conflicts effectively, and the ability to influence at a state and national level.

What we are Offering

• Be part of a nation-leading Youth Justice Reform that places the young people at the heart of everything we do!
• 5 years senior executive contract, Full time hours (73.5 hours per fortnight).
• Relocation Assistance: we can support your relocation to Tasmania; embrace a balanced lifestyle, breathtaking natural beauty and exceptional food and produce.
• Fleet vehicle and car park provided.
• Flexible working arrangements, including start/end times, WFH days, and potential part-time options.
• Access to 3 additional leave days (Christmas breakdown days) and purchase leave scheme.
• Wellbeing Connect program (including EAP) and Fitness Passport.

For more information on selection criteria and requirements, please refer to the Statement of duties:

Statement Of Duties (PDF)

About Us

The Department for Education, Children and Young People is proudly Tasmanian Government’s core child-centred agency. Everything we do is to support children, young people and their families. The Office of the Chief Practitioner Professional Practice leads and sets the standards for evidence-informed contemporary practice for professionals working with children, young people and families in child safety and youth justice settings across the Agency.

How to apply 

Click on “Apply Now” to submit your resume and a short form application (maximum 2 pages). Applications are closing at 11.30pm AEDT on the 15 March 2026.

For a confidential discussion about the role, contact Carne Morris, Manager Workplace Relations - Partnering, on [email protected] or 0408 193 444.